GE24, the Candidates: William Carton, Independent Ireland
When Independent Ireland candidate William Carton ran his first local election earlier this year in the Athy LEA, he polled more first preference votes than the combined two Sinn Fein candidates managed to do, writes Brian Byrne. He narrowly missed getting a seat, but the experience was invaluable to his second campaign in 2024, seeking a Kildare South Dáil seat.
Carton, who lives in Ballitore, describes himself as 'an ordinary Joe', working in the Roads Department of Kildare County Council and 'filling the local potholes'. Though not directly in a political family, he references an uncle in Baltinglass who was a councillor for 30 years, representing the Labour Party and later as an Independent. "So I always had an interest in politics, but this was the first time I took it on myself," he told the Diary this week. "Our children are nearly reared, and I was getting a bit of time to myself, so my wife said to go for it if I wanted to. We made a family decision."
Carton knew Michael Collins, one of Independent Ireland's three TDs and a founder member, and after a meeting in the Dáil he agreed to run for what was then a very new party aimed at bringing independents together as a coherent political force. Following the June elections, Independent Ireland now have 23 local councillors and one member of the European Parliament, Ciaran Mullooly, along with their three outgoing TDs.
William Carton recalls the early days of his first campaign as being 'overwhelming'. "I was kind of shocked, really. But I quickly learned that you can do nothing on your own. That family and friends are so important in something like this. Especially as an independent, printing leaflets and paying for my own posters, I couldn't afford to do it without the amazing support I've got." Not making it to the Council in June didn't deter him, and now, running his second campaign in a year, he says he is a lot stronger both as a person and as a candidate.
The response to him at the doors is reinforcing his understanding that everybody is experiencing similar problems just now, particularly related to cost of living and access to housing. "I think there are people on the breadline, there's a lot of poverty in this country, there are people who are feeling neglected. The Government often forgets to look down enough to see it." He's not of the 'quick fix' political persuasion, though, saying "there's nobody alive can fix all this on their own, and whoever is in power in coming governments, it will ten years to get it fixed."
With 16 candidates in Kildare South, including the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaill who is automatically returned, chasing just three of the four seats is a daunting task for any of the non-established contestants. It is arguable that just one of those seats is in contention and Carton is realistic about the long odds and has his own tempered expectations. "I'm not blind and I'm not silly. I'm trying my hardest, but at the end of the day these things don't just land in your lap overnight. You have to build a profile, and I'm looking at the long haul. It's no different than working a college course for four or five years to get what you want."
If he gets elected, this time or in the future, Carton's goal is to work with anyone or any group to get the results for the people he might represent, for the people who are taking the time to listen to him at the doors on his current canvass. If the Independent Ireland party grows like he believes it will, he could eventually be part of a much louder voice on their behalf.
Meantime, especially for William Carton and all the other smaller party candidates in South Kildare, and all the political nerds, the General Election 2024 count is going to be a very interesting couple of days.
EDITOR NOTE: All the Kildare South candidates have been invited to interview by the Diary, and in the run-up to polling day we will profile those who accept.
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